Monthly Archives: March 2012

Construction Trades Academy slated for June 4-15 at MN State Community and Technical College

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High school students learn about masonry at the 2011 Construction Trades Academy.

The Herdina Academy for Construction Trades will be June 4-15, 2012, at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead. The two-week session runs 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and a certified instructor supervises activities.

The Academy is open to North Dakota and Minnesota high school students ages 15 and older. Enrollment is limited! Cost is $25. Students who successfully complete the Academy will earn three college credits from M State. The credits can be used for the carpentry, plumbing, refrigeration and air conditioning, or mechanical CAD programs at M State. Find out more by calling (701) 232-5846, emailing info@hbafm.com, visiting www.hbcfm.com or visiting www.facebook.com/TradesAcademy.

Jonny Schroeder, 2006 Academy graduate and a former student at M State, said, “I first became interested in the construction industry after my sophomore year of high
school when I was fortunate enough to participate in the Herdina Academy. It showed me just how many areas there are in this industry. When I had completed the course, I knew that the construction industry was what I wanted to continue my education in.”

The Academy, now in its 15th year, will be held at M State for the sixth year. M State’s campus offers a myriad of opportunities to expose participants to the many specialty occupations within the construction industry including: blueprint reading, carpentry, casework, concrete, drywall, electrical, excavation, HVAC, landscaping, masonry, plumbing and more. Students will work side-by-side with industry and education professionals, learning about occupations, tools, safety requirements and skills required for satisfying and well-paying careers. They participate in classroom and hands-on learning, with the opportunity to experience first-hand how residential and commercial buildings are constructed.

Emily Larson of Battle Lake, Minn., said, “In ten days, our son was able to be exposed to and learn many facets of the building industry while meeting local experts. The location at M-State in Moorhead was convenient, with the necessary lab area to give our son a welcoming learning environment. We would definitely recommend that any young person dedicate two weeks of the summer to this Academy; it may make a difference in his or her future career goals!”

Student-built sheds will be available for sale through the 2012 Herdina Academy for the Construction Trades. Prices start at around $1,750 for an 8’ x 12’ shed. Contact Tony Schouten at (218) 333-6641 or tony.schouten@ntcmn.edu before May 20 if you are interested in pre-ordering. Limited customization is possible. Sheds will be complete by July and proceeds from the sale will be used to support the academy in the future.

Sponsorship of the Herdina Academy for the Construction Trades is provided by: M State-Moorhead, Home Builders Association of F-M and its charitable organization, Home Builders Care of Fargo-Moorhead Foundation.

A $500 scholarship from the Home Builders Care Foundation will be awarded to an outstanding student who completes the academy and plans to enroll in a construction-related field at M State-Moorhead or North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton.

Tips for starting down the road to homeownership

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The American dream of homeownership is within your reach! With the right planning, many people who rent the home in which they live could afford to buy one. Some consumers may be wary of buying a home or putting money into a home remodel with the economic times we currently face.

In actuality, now is a great time to buy. Interest rates are extremely low, and the F-M metro area is buffered to a certain extent from national economic trends. According to an economist with the National Association of Home Builders, our region has stayed relatively strong and is a bright spot on the national housing radar.

A prosperous and diversified business base is continuing to stimulate and grow the area’s economy. The Fargo-Moorhead economy is solid and job creation is strong. In fact, North Dakota is one of the only states in the nation where home prices have continued to appreciate.

For those who would like a complete overview of the home buying process, The Village Family Service Center offers home buyer education workshops which include all elements of purchasing a home from beginning to end.

Joshua Huffman, financial counselor and home buyer education facilitator at The Village Family Service Center, says,“Going through the home buyer education classes at The Village allows people to learn how to get into a home they can afford and keep. This class makes sure they know all the programs that are available for purchasing a home.”
Check out www.helpwithmoney.org or contact The Village Family Service at (800) 450-4019 for more information.

Educating yourself about the process and responsibilities of being a homeowner will most likely save time, stress, and even money, in the end. There are many programs available within the metro area to help you purchase a home. For more information, see the HBA of F-M’s Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide at www.hbafm.com/directory. These incentives and tax exemptions are outlined beginning on page 154.

Before you find a home you like, one of the first steps is to determine whether you can afford it or not. Check out the following tips:

  • Review your income. A certain amount in savings is sometimes needed to apply toward down payment and closing costs. There are loan programs available (e.g. FHA and VA mortgage programs) that require less cash payment at closing.
  • Review your debt responsibilities. Consider how debt in relation to income will influence a lender’s decision on your mortgage loan amount. Additional debt from house payments on top of existing debt might restrict your lifestyle.
  • Get pre-approved and pre-qualified with a lender. A lender can help you find the right loan or assistance programs available to purchase a home. Some tools are included in the Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide that will help you estimate the house price you can afford: buyer’s cost statement (page 146), amortization schedule (page 148) and loan application checklist (page 150).
  • Review your savings. Be prepared for some costs that you cannot finance through your loan; there are some costs that must be paid at the closing, the day that you buy your home.
  • Monthly expenses may increase. The purchase of your home will likely change how much you will need to spend on expenses every month. If you have trouble saving now, your finances might be too tight with the purchase of a home. If the time is financially right for you to purchase a home, consider the advantages that ownership has over renting.
  • Think of it as scheduled savings. As a homeowner, your monthly mortgage payments serve as a type of savings plan. Over time, you will accumulate what lenders call “equity,” an ownership interest in your house that you may be able to borrow against or convert to cash by selling the house. Renters continually pay rent to a landlord for as long as they rent without opportunity to build up equity.

Check out the incentives available through local jurisdictions or state governments by reading pages 154-158 in the Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide.

Home prices are reasonable locally, giving buyers a unique opportunity to find affordable housing. Most likely, you can get the house of your dreams and still have a budget for decorating.

The HBA of F-M’s Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide is available online; or you may pick up a copy of this free publication at the HBA office, 1802 32nd Ave. S. in Fargo, and at several local businesses listed on our website: www.hbafm.com/directory.

Spring Parade of Homes set to showcase 65 homes

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The Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead is proud to announce its Spring Parade of Homes running nine days: April 28-May 6. Sponsored by Marvin Windows & Doors, the Parade covers two weekends for consumer convenience. Hours are noon-5 p.m. weekends and 6:30-8:30 p.m. weekdays.

Admission is free. The event will be a scattered-site tour of 65 homes Dilworth, Fargo, Mapleton, Moorhead and West Fargo, built with pride by 37 HBA of F-M Builder members. Homes will cover all price ranges, including options for those age 55 and better, first-time buyers, people needing more space, and those wanting to downsize.

Magazine Details

Parade of Homes magazines detailing each home entry will be available at all Hornbacher’s stores April 23-May 6. The magazine will be a full-color, glossy publication with a half page dedicated to each home entry. Homes will be represented in full color, with 3-D renderings. Builders also have an option to include a floor plan with home listings. The magazine will include detailed maps to each Parade entry, as well as a condensed listing of all homes entered in the event. An insert with home listings will be published in The Forum April 22.

Web Details

Consumers may access the Parade online at www.hbafm.com beginning April 23. The interactive website will allow consumers to browse homes, view maps and look for builders.

A free Parade application for Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPod and iPad is also available at http://www.hbafm.com/events/parade-of-homes1.html.

Featured Homes

Each year, HBA members volunteer Parade of Homes entries priced $500,000 and higher to be “featured” homes in a fundraising effort to support their industry, Association and charity. This year, Designer Homes of Fargo-Moorhead and Thomsen Homes, LLC, have chosen to showcase their entries. Look for more details on featured homes in the event magazine or at www.hbafm.com April 23. The cost is $5 to tour all featured homes. Money raised will go to Home Builders Care of Fargo-Moorhead Foundation, the HBA’s charitable foundation. It supports skill training, education and projects related to the housing industry.

Call the HBA of F-M at (701) 232-5846 or visit www.hbafm.com for more information on this event.

The HBA of F-M is a non-profit trade association of over 800 members that has been in existence since 1956. Its mission is to provide quality services, benefits and education to members and the community while representing the collective interests of the home building industry. Its public events include the Spring Parade of Homes, Fall Parade of Homes, Red River Valley Home & Garden Show, Fall Home Show and Remodeled Home Tour.